New Australian DVD and BD Releases

[charal]

The Fassbinder FEAR EATS THE SOUL is the same excellent transfer from the Foundation used elswhere. The PAL mode brings out even more detail than on the Criterion version. The Haynes interview is different to the one used on the Criterion. The booklet is informative [I didn't know another actor's voice was used for the dubbing of Ali] and the yellow subs are paler than those used on Umbrella releases hence bearable [thankfully Madman have the sense to use white on B & W films]. Looking forward to the upcoming R4 Fassbinders.

[bergelson]

Hi,

Did anyone bought the De-Sica boxset which, amongst others, contains Il tetto (The Roof)?

Thanks.

[cashead]

The Fassbinder FEAR EATS THE SOUL is the same excellent transfer from the Foundation used elswhere. The PAL mode brings out even more detail than on the Criterion version. The Haynes interview is different to the one used on the Criterion. The booklet is informative [I didn't know another actor's voice was used for the dubbing of Ali] and the yellow subs are paler than those used on Umbrella releases hence bearable [thankfully Madman have the sense to use white on B & W films]. Looking forward to the upcoming R4 Fassbinders.

I was wondering how the transfer was. I really ought to get myself a copy of that film and your post has convinced me to get this version.

Speaking of Fassbinder, I tried giving Berlin Alexanderplatz a go, but I couldn't quite get into it.

[devlinnn]

No wonder they have so many titles out-of-stock at the moment. Interesting news for some, as EzyDVD hits the wall.

FWIW - A friend just received a faulty DVD from EzyDVD online, and was told they would need to contact the distributor directly to get an exchange, as they would be not getting any new stock.

[cashead]

Speaking of faulty DVDs, be careful with the Madman Director's Suite edition of Crush. I work at a library that handles audio-visual materials and that DVD has caused us no end of angst. Every single one keeps freezing about 30 minutes in, including brand new replacement copies. No other DVD does this so regularly.

[menthymenthy]

Not sure if it was already mentioned, but Wajda's War Trilogy is being released by Umbrella in April in a set. Special Features are just an interview (?) with Wajda about each film. Probably a port from the UK Release.

This is the first Wajda Australia gets on DVD. Yayyy.

[Tolmides]

No wonder they have so many titles out-of-stock at the moment. Interesting news for some, as EzyDVD hits the wall.

FWIW - A friend just received a faulty DVD from EzyDVD online, and was told they would need to contact the distributor directly to get an exchange, as they would be not getting any new stock.

I've been waiting about two months for Captains Courageous and Mutiny on the Bounty to ship. Is there another reliable Australian DVD online retailer I could use instead?

[GaryC]

No wonder they have so many titles out-of-stock at the moment. Interesting news for some, as EzyDVD hits the wall.

FWIW - A friend just received a faulty DVD from EzyDVD online, and was told they would need to contact the distributor directly to get an exchange, as they would be not getting any new stock.

I've been waiting about two months for Captains Courageous and Mutiny on the Bounty to ship. Is there another reliable Australian DVD online retailer I could use instead?

Same here - after using EzyDVD exclusively I'm going to need to find another source for Australian DVDs, one that will ship to the UK in good time and without exorbitant shipping rates.

Ezy sent me The Black Balloon with no problems, but I'm still waiting for Not Quite Hollywood after a month. And it's anyone's guess if they'll send me Mad Dog Morgan when it's released next week.

[Perkins Cobb]

Sanity was fast and cheap when I ordered a pile of Australian discs a couple of months ago. Total shipping to the US for (er, this is a tad embarrassing) 18 DVDs was AU $21.60. The only thing dodgy is that about half of the DVDs were not shrink-wrapped, without explanation. I'm not sure if that gives me pause or not -- they may have been used copies, but they didn't look like bootlegs, and they all played fine when I checked them.

The other option I've heard mentioned here and there appears to be DevotedDVD, but the shipping is more expensive (AU $4.25-$3.50 per disc).

[charal]

The new Madman Fassbinders have been in "distribution delay" mode for weeks on Ezy's site. In Adelaide these titles are not even available in the street. Have you Easterners seen any of these titles in JB for example? [Madman have now put most on 2-3 day processing mode].

[devlinnn]

Ezy sent me The Black Balloon with no problems, but I'm still waiting for Not Quite Hollywood after a month. And it's anyone's guess if they'll send me Mad Dog Morgan when it's released next week.

Not Quite Hollywood's release date was delayed a month, so Ezy will probably no longer stock it.

Sanity was fast and cheap when I ordered a pile of Australian discs a couple of months ago. Total shipping to the US for (er, this is a tad embarrassing) 18 DVDs was AU $21.60. The only thing dodgy is that about half of the DVDs were not shrink-wrapped, without explanation. I'm not sure if that gives me pause or not -- they may have been used copies, but they didn't look like bootlegs, and they all played fine when I checked them.

The other option I've heard mentioned here and there appears to be DevotedDVD, but the shipping is more expensive (AU $4.25-$3.50 per disc).

More distributors are not shrink-wrapping - due to cost to the environment and their overheads. Don't see a problem with it personally. $3.50 - $5.00 is about normal for post. Not per disc - but when you take into account the hassle of actually sending stock os these days down here (takes about 10 minutes after filling out forms/security/blood readings/dick size) you got to expect some $$$ pain.

I've been waiting about two months for Captains Courageous and Mutiny on the Bounty to ship. Is there another reliable Australian DVD online retailer I could use instead?

You may find these titles have been deleted by Warner, as has nearly 50% of their classic back catalogue. They've no friggin' clue what they are doing, nor does Fox, Universal, Paramount or Sony. But that's an old story that doesn't need repeating. However - it's the main reason Ezydvd is going under. There is just no continued supply of good, strong new release product being released by the majors.

The new Madman Fassbinders have been in "distribution delay" mode for weeks on Ezy's site. In Adelaide these titles are not even available in the street. Have you Easterners seen any of these titles in JB for example? [Madman have now put most on 2-3 day processing mode].

Blame Madman. Only Fassbinder on Sex and Lili Marleen has been released so far.

[charal]

I got this email from Ezy regarding Madman Fassbinders. The "company" referred to is obviously Ezy DVD:

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately, since the company has gone into receivership, I am not sure of when we will be receiving stock of this title, however, I have been advised that new shipments may be arriving within the next 3-4 weeks if the company is bought by next week.

Sorry we could not help you any further at this time, but it might be beneficial to contact us within the next two weeks as we may have a more definite answer.

Kind regards,

[charal]

GANGSTER FILMS by Fassbinder (Madman).

Same transfers as elswhere, white subs, 16:9 ratio on LOVE IS COLDER & 4:3 on others. The extras consist of what appears to be deleted interview footage from FASSBINDER IN HOLLYWOOD (2002) showing Schygulla & Lommil, a great [Godardian?] trailer for GODS OF THE PLAGUE, an excellent 40 minute interview from 2006 with Harry Bar (divided into chapters and tackling a selection of films chronologically) and an audio commentary on AMERICAN SOLDIER [which has the porno playing cards scene uncut].

MAD DOG MORGAN (Umbrella)

Uncut version in good colour and anamorphic 2:35:1.
Contains: an audio commentary by Mora, a recent interview between Hopper & Mora, 1976 on set doco [excellent 'performance' by Hopper here] and alternate scenes [although most look the same as in the film]. (Note that the scene with Jack Thompson has the 2 constables standing behind him reversed in the 'deleted' footage.)

[ellipsis7]

Has anyone had any updating news from Madman about the Rossellini India with the Adrian Martin commentary? Or are all the elements beyond rescue? I don't want to ask Adrian directly as I don't want to inadvertently cause a problem.

David, just heard back from Madman... They are still looking for a suitable master...

Found this on Jonathan Rosenbaum's blog - passed on along with Tag Gallagher's website and the e-mail address listed there....

India Matri Bhumi
My favorite Roberto Rossellini film is perhaps the hardest one to see–the restored French version of this 1959 masterpiece about India, which survives in only one unsubtitled print. (The more accessible Italian version is considerably shorter, and inferior in other respects as well.) Fortunately, the French version has been privately subtitled on video by Rossellini biographer Tag Gallagher, and Chicago Cinema Forum will project it twice this weekend. (31.08.07)

[charal]

If anyone has met with a freeze on Madman's EFFI BRIEST at 1h07m note that I have tested it with 2 diff discs and both have the problem: hence it is a mastering fault.

[charal]

Something new (and hopefully permanent) with the last 2 Fassbinders from Madman is that you now have the option to use either yellow or white subs. The default setting is yellow. I noticed this feature on both MERCHANT & BRD TRILOGY.

[charal]

Anyone with a faulty EFFI disc can get a replacement from Madman. Just email them and take it from there. My replacement came within 3 days of contact.

[tojoed]

I'm thinking of getting "Les Cousins" direct from Madman. Are they a good e-tailer to deal with?
I've never bought anything from Australia before, so any help in this regard would be appreciated.

[bigP]

I'm thinking of getting "Les Cousins" direct from Madman. Are they a good e-tailer to deal with?
I've never bought anything from Australia before, so any help in this regard would be appreciated.

They are relatively good overall. I've bought maybe 30 items from them (mainly due to their 10th anniversary 10$ a dvd special) and found there to be some positive service. The negative element is that they seem to take an eternity in the time between ordering and shipping, I think at best it's been a week, at worst, about 3 weeks. The positive side is that my last order took only 3 days shipping time from Aus to UK once they had finally dispatched (they always send special delivery). More positive points are that at least they keep you relatively up to date with the progress of your item, and the cost of shipping is surprisingly low (it starts at $9 for the first dvd and only moves up to i think $12 when you order 3 or 4 +), which added to the reduction in tax exemption makes for a happy purchase price.

[tojoed]

Thanks both. I'll use one or the other.

[Perkins Cobb]

Are there any actual Australian movies coming out on Australian labels any time soon? I'm spoiled after last fall's bounty of The Year My Voice Broke, Mad Dog Morgan, and the Schepisi films.

And, are there any good websites that reliably report this info?

[GaryC]

Are there any actual Australian movies coming out on Australian labels any time soon? I'm spoiled after last fall's bounty of The Year My Voice Broke, Mad Dog Morgan, and the Schepisi films.

And, are there any good websites that reliably report this info?

Umbrella have Les Patterson Saves the World in April and The Coca-Cola Kid in May. The former is reputedly abysmal, the latter I haven't seen since the mid 80s but remember quite enjoying.

Madman have Monkey Puzzle (out today), Unfinished Sky (no date yet), and a 2-disc set of the 1919 version of The Sentimental Bloke (15 April)

[devlinnn]

There must be some competition at the moment to see how much Ozzie shite people can be duped into viewing.

Less Patterson more Cox if you ask me.....

[GaryC]

Haven't seen the other two in your post, so can't comment. I wasn't aware The Everlasting Secret Family was out on DVD - it did have a brief UK cinema release, but the reviews were lousy, at least the ones I read were.

I've sat through my share of Ozcrap in my time, and reviewed some of it too, so maybe curiosity might win out in due course - or completism at least!

Apart from the remaining few minutes of The Story of the Kelly Gang, is The Sentimental Bloke the first Aussie silent to have a DVD release? More, please. In fact a lot more pre-1970 titles please.

[devlinnn]

Pass your drugs this way Gary, and slowly open your windows. The sky will be blue, and the birds sing a pretty song.